1/28 (GP/SA): Florida & California Sunshine Millions
 

5th Race. 2:35PM Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff

Purse $300,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FILLIES AND MARES REGISTERED FLORIDA BREDS WITH THE FTBOA.

1 MY PAL CHRISY (L) Lutchman, P Panici, L 119
2 TIZ THE ARGUMENT (L) Dutrow, Jr., R R. A. Dominguez 117
3 DELIGHTFUL MARY (L) Casse, M Contreras, L 117
4 AWESOME FEATHER (L) Brown, C Sanchez, J 123
5 PERFECT EMBRACE (L) Dibona, B Lopez, P 117
6 SWEET REPENT (L) Braddy, J Cruz, M 117



6th Race. 3:05PM Florida Sunshine Millions Fillies And Mares Sprint

Purse $150,000 Guaranteed 6 Furlongs FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FILLIES AND MARES REGISTERED FLORIDA BREDS WITH THE FTBOA.

1 IT'S ME MOM (L) Scace, L Martinez, W 117
2 HONEY CHILE (L) Catalano, W Leparoux, J 117
3 INDULGENCE (L) Wolfson, MD Trujillo, E 117
4 DERWIN'S STAR (L) Klesaris, S Rocco, Jr., J 117
5 POMEROYS PISTOL (L) Tarrant, A Castellano, J 121
6 MUSICAL ROMANCE (L) Kaplan, W Leyva, J 123
7 BEAT THE BLUES (L) Calhoun, W Mena, M 117



7th Race. 3:35PM Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint

Purse $150,000 Guaranteed 6 Furlongs FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD REGISTERED FLORIDA BREDS WITH THE FTBOA.

1 ROYAL CURRIER (L) Farro, P R. A. Dominguez 119
2 SOARING STOCKS (L) Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 117
3 MADMAN DIARIES (L) Ward, W Sanchez, J 117
4 RIBO BOBO (L) Azpurua, M Gonzalez, A 117
5 IT'S NEVER TO LATE (L) Cartagena, J Gonzalez, S 117
6 ZERO RATE POLICY (L) Pompay, T Lopez, P 119
7 APRIORITY (L) Fawkes, D Saez, L 123
8 CAJUN BREEZE (L) Yates, M Leyva, J 117



8th Race. 4:10PM Florida Sunshine Millions Filly And Mare Turf

Purse $150,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles(Turf)(Rail at 36 Feet) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FILLIES AND MARES REGISTERED FLORIDA BREDS WITH THE FTBOA.

1 SPEAK EASY GAL (L) Wolfson, MD Trujillo, E 117
2 ZAPPARITION (L) Romans, D Castellano, J 117
3 VENTANIA (L) Rosas-Canessa, W Cruz, M 117
4 UNBRIDLED HUMOR (L) Motion, H R. A. Dominguez 121
5 ROMACACA (L) Canani, N Lopez, P 117
6 ASKBUT I WON'TTELL (L) Block, C Maragh, R 117
7 TRIP FOR A. J. (L) Wolfson, MW Fuller, A 117
8 HOOH WHY (L) Girten-Drake, S Velazquez, J 117
9 ROMIN ROBIN (L) Kassen, D Bravo, J 117



SANTA ANITA 4th - THE SENSATIONAL STAR STAKES (4:35 p.m.)

(1) Luckarack Hector Berrios 15
(2) Ain’t No Other Martin Garcia 6
(3) Tamarack Smarty David Flores 20
(4) Compari Mike Smith 5/2
(5) Caracortado Rafael Bejarano 4/5
(6) My Summer Slew Alonso Quinonez 20
(7) Mega Heat Joe Talamo 12
(8) Red Defense Joel Rosario 8



9th Race. 4:50PM Florida Sunshine Millions Turf

Purse $150,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles (Turf) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD REGISTERED FLORIDA BREDS WITH THE FTBOA.

1 SLEWS ANSWER (L) Motion, H R. A. Dominguez 117
2 LIVINGSTON STREET (L) Kaplan, W Leyva, J 117
3 BAD DEBT (L) Trombetta, M Carmouche, K 119
4 BELL BY THE RIDGE (L) Maker, M Castellano, J 117
5 LITTLE MIKE (L) Romans, D Bravo, J 117
6 BECKHAM BEND (L) Chapman, J Desormeaux, K 117
7 ALLIE'S EVENT (L) Smock, L Centeno, D 117
8 STAY RED (L) Rizo, J Rivera II, J 117
9 BLAZEN (L) Pecoraro, A Rose, J 117
10 TEAKS NORTH (L) Sallusto, J Velazquez, J 117
11 ROMAN TIGER (L) Manning, D Lopez, P 117



SANTA ANITA 5th - THE CRYSTAL WATER STAKES (5:05 p.m.)

(1) Legal Separation Victor Espinoza 6
(2) Bluegrass Reward Joe Talamo 9/2
(3) Spud Spivens Mike Smith 9/2
(4) Thirtyfirststreet Joel Rosario 2
(5) Holladay Road Rafael Bejarano 5/2
(6) Macho Dorado Corey Nakatani 9/2



10th Race. 5:25PM Florida Sunshine Millions Classic

Purse $400,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD REGISTERED FLORIDA BREDS WITH THE FTBOA.

1 DUKE OF MISCHIEF (L) Fawkes, D Bravo, J 117
2 DREAM MAESTRO (L) Kaplan, W Leyva, J 117
3 ADIOS CHARLIE (L) Hough, S Castellano, J 117
4 DECAF AGAIN (L) Rose, B Centeno, D 117
5 TURBO COMPRESSOR (L) Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 119
6 MUCHO MACHO MAN (L) Ritvo, K R. A. Dominguez 117
7 RON THE GREEK (L) Mott, W Lezcano, J 117



SANTA ANITA 6th - THE VALENTINE DANCER STAKES (5:37 p.m.)

(1) Secret Cove Joel Rosario 15
(2) Warren’s Got Game Santiago Reyes 20
(3) Antares World Martin Garcia 9/2
(4) La Sombre Alonso Quinonez 4
(5) Chokecherymary Corey Nakatani 10
(6) Cayanna Victor Espinoza 15
(7) Unzip Me Rafael Bejarano 5/2
(8) California Nectar Hector Berrios 10
(9) Halo Dolly Joe Talamo 3
(10) Bench Glory Brice Blanc 20

I know the Sunshine Millions was "restructured" but I still don't understand why.

Isn't it silly when both tracks are running their respective races?

Does anyone get it and, if so, can you explain it?

It was always a fun day to go to SA. I'm sure it still will be but I liked the idea of friendly competition.

All six of the races that were previously split between the two tracks are now being run exclusively at GP. The SA races as part of it are simply Cal bred races there were previously run at different times during the meet.

The races are dumb in the sense that they take away from open company races coming up soon. The Donn field would be greatly aided by having some of those Sunshine Millions Classic horses in it.

The Sunshine Millions split maximizes the number of open races Stronach can ruin.

With Duke Of Mischief, Adios Charlie, and Mucho Macho Man having $400k state bred purse to divvy up right in their own backyard (without having to ship to Santa Anita), they get to avoid a real race like the Donn a week later.

Maybe next year, Gulfstream can run the one mile Gulfstream Park Handicap on the Donn undercard.

I just don't get the thinking.

Okay got it and sorry for being lazy... if you go to the SA site you're smacked across the face with the big Sunshine Millions ad so I just assumed...

Check this out...

$1 pick 6:

5th: 4
6th: 5,6
7th: 7
8th: 4,5
9th: 5,10
10th: 1,6

Total Ticket = $16
Net Profit = $7.50

I'm convinced that the "front office" guys at most racetracks don't even follow (or like) horse racing.

I can't remember who said but I believe it was due to not many shippers, so they decided it best this way. I'm probably wrong though. :o

You're probably right. I thought the horsemen in CA squawked a bit too about how much money was going to restricted races. The whole concept is pretty idiotic in the end.

:zz::zz::zz:

Being there though... there was something fun about it.

I don't like the 50 million food truck days or the 10k run, beer festivals, etc. but this was like just a little extra fun betting. Maybe cause you'd root for horses from your state and the other people who were there understood it... it wasn't so much one of those days where the track would try to lure in new people as it was(seemed like) more for the fans who are also bettors. The other people knew the horses names (too) and it made for fun conversation with strangers, etc.

I don't know, it was just fun even though the concept might have been silly. :)

It's not silly, it's destructive to top class racing.

The only way a microbrew festival can impact top class racing is if some drunken idiot gets onto the track and takes a swing at a champion sprinter racing down the stretch.

I'm a little surprised by this line...

Did the Sunshine Millions ever draw many top class horses?

I've been a fan of many but top class?

... or am I completely misunderstanding?

Too many tracks... that could make a good argument but a series of races one day a year? I'm sorry I don't unerstand.

You're kidding, right?

Lava Man, Southern Image, Go Between, Miesque's Approval, Caracortado, Forbidden Apple, Star Over The Bay, Presious Passion, The Usual QT, War Monger, Silver Wagon, Ginger Punch, Lost In The Fog, Bob Black Jack, Idiot Proof, Evening Jewel, Dream Of Summer, Silent Sighs, Bordonaro, Benny The Bull, Georgie Boy, Amazombie, Apriority,...

Yeah right after I posted that I started remembering some of these names.

I'm a moron. Ignore me.

What is so hard to get Missy? You have the Donn and a myriad of important graded races at GP its suppose to be the Mecca of Winter racing. Good horses like MMMan Sweet Repent and Awesome Feather are going to run in easy spots to pad trainers/owners pockets vs. more difficult open company. There just arent a lot of good horses(fast) and when these easy slushy spots open up it hurts the value of a Great race like the Donn etc.

Got it.

I understand,but, I think it's a good concept if later in the meet so it doesn't hurt stakes like the Donn. The 3 yr olds not good enough for the Derby would be able to run also.

The concept is fine, but the timing is not.

I don't see how it's a good concept regardless of calendar placement.

The inflated purses and state-bred restrictions will always take away from tougher graded stakes races.

For what it's worth, the F/M Sprint race is interesting with It's Me Mom in it. She has won three in a row overall and her last two at Tampa were very impressive. On paper, she will be a tough match for Pomeroys Pistol and Musical Romance. Beat the Blues is no slouch either.

The Classic seems interesting as well.

Absolutely. You have the suddenly surprising Ron the Greek, the Pletcher super-charged Turbo Compressor, Mucho Macho Man, and Adios Charlie, both of whom had solid comeback races.

There are too many graded stakes as is that top horses can bypass each other. At least these can bring the better horses from the state together for good racing. These FLA races are interesting from a betting point and due to the over abundance of graded stakes, most probably bypass the Donn and others looking for easier spots.

There certainly are a lot of reasons why top class racing has declined.

I'd rather see racing administrators make moves to improve the quality on a national scale, not embrace gimmicky one-offs.

SANTA ANITA 4th - THE SENSATIONAL STAR STAKES (4:35 p.m.)

(1) Luckarack Hector Berrios 15
(2) Ain’t No Other Martin Garcia 6
(3) Tamarack Smarty David Flores 20
(4) Compari Mike Smith 5/2
(5) Caracortado Rafael Bejarano 4/5
(6) My Summer Slew Alonso Quinonez 20
(7) Mega Heat Joe Talamo 12
(8) Red Defense Joel Rosario 8



SANTA ANITA 5th - THE CRYSTAL WATER STAKES (5:05 p.m.)

(1) Legal Separation Victor Espinoza 6
(2) Bluegrass Reward Joe Talamo 9/2
(3) Spud Spivens Mike Smith 9/2
(4) Thirtyfirststreet Joel Rosario 2
(5) Holladay Road Rafael Bejarano 5/2
(6) Macho Dorado Corey Nakatani 9/2



SANTA ANITA 6th - THE VALENTINE DANCER STAKES (5:37 p.m.)

(1) Secret Cove Joel Rosario 15
(2) Warren’s Got Game Santiago Reyes 20
(3) Antares World Martin Garcia 9/2
(4) La Sombre Alonso Quinonez 4
(5) Chokecherymary Corey Nakatani 10
(6) Cayanna Victor Espinoza 15
(7) Unzip Me Rafael Bejarano 5/2
(8) California Nectar Hector Berrios 10
(9) Halo Dolly Joe Talamo 3
(10) Bench Glory Brice Blanc 20

Good Riddance
 

The original Sunshine Millions is now dead? The series was an annual rout for the Sunshine State as the Golden State usually came away very tarnished. I guess the powers that be decided:
What the hell? Let's just scrap the original premise and let the Florida breds have a day just for themselves!

I say good riddance; this series of races besides making Cal breds look bad also diminished the Strub Series. Any 4YO that was a Florida bred or Cal bred found it more profitable to run in the Sunshine Millions instead of the Strub Stakes.

This weekend both tracks have nice cards and maybe some regulars don't like the food trucks but big deal. The food trucks will not inconvenience regulars in any way since they are in the infield. This promotion is a good idea to get a few novices and foodies out to the track because Santa Anita is so striking a few will want to venture back to the Great Race Place.

I think a big contributing factor to the series lopsidedness was that almost no calbreds would ship to Fla, while there were already tons of Fla breds in California.

The races at GP had, at most, 2-3 calbreds on the entire card.

Those are a couple of good points.

As much as I hate to admit it though Cal breds just don't seem to measure up. In the last five years a half dozen Eclipse awards have gone to Florida breeders while only a pair have gone out west.

This is only an issue because Top Florida Breds can also complete in top caliber races. It would be more of an equal playing field with Cal Breds and NY Breds going at it. EAST/WEST

I enjoy State breds days in Illinios, Maryland, Louisiana, New York, and California. There's a reason Kentucky (Turfway doesn't count) does it have them and the same came be said for Florida on a smaller scale.

The concept is fine, but it would probably fit better latter in the meet.

Zoe Cadman tweets: Caracortado an official scratch out of tomorrows sensational star due to minor foot problem.

I think Unzip Me is a program scratch as well.

EARLY SCRATCHES FOR 1/28 SA:

Race 4: Scratch #1 Luckarack, #5 Caracortado, #7 Mega Heat
Race 5: No Changes
Race 6: Scratch #6 Cayanna, #7 Unzip Me; #2 Rafael Bejarano

Is La Sombre going to stay around 4/1?

I'll take it.

True, Fla breds are typically better than Cal breds, but it also seems like every good CB mare ends up being bred in KY.

Also, two of the better stallions of recent times standing in KY, were Calbreds.

Impressive race from Awesome Feather

Yeah it was.

Obviously she was pretty good, but I never thought she was that good. Great step forward for her.